Swain hosts retrospective exhibit of wildlife artist

Swain Galleries has represented wildlife artist Leslie Delgyer for four decades. In honor of this long-lasting relationship, gallery proprietor Ann Swain has announced a retrospective exhibit of works by the master pastelist from North Plainfield.

“She’s been with the gallery as long as I can remember,” Swain said.

The exhibit opens with a free public reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Then, on Saturday, April 9, Delgyer will present an insightful artist’s lecture from 1 to 2 p.m.

Swain recalls well the occasion when Delgyer held her first solo show at the family establishment.

“Her son was about 7 years old at the time,” said Swain. “He was at the reception and signed the guest book – he took up an entire page.”

The exhibit surveys the course of Delgyer’s career, starting with a drawing she made at age 11 of her napping grandfather, up to recent pieces like “Clash of the Titans,” which depicts two adolescent polar bears facing off for dominance. Her iconic portrait of a Siberian tiger, commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund for a conservation stamp collection, marked a breakthrough in relations between the U.S. and Russia after the collapse of communism.

Delgyer’s long and storied artistic career began humbly. After graduating from the duCret School of the Arts in Plainfield in 1968, family obligations limited her artistic output. But when friends and neighbors discovered her skills, they started requesting pictures of their pets.

“For a few years, I did portraits of cats, dogs, horses, and birds,” Delgyer said.

She worked mostly at night on her kitchen table. Frequent interruptions impacted her process and choice of medium; she needed something forgiving yet effective.

Many of her clients brought their pet portraits to Swain Galleries for framing. When Delgyer visited there in person, Walter Swain expressed his desire to host an exhibit of her work – an offer she quickly declined.

“I told him I was too busy at home and couldn’t possibly produce enough work,” said Delgyer. “But he had faith in me, and a solution.”

Swain suggested she borrow back some of her pet portraits for display, then take orders for further commissions. The owners of the originals were thrilled to see their beloved pets on public view, and Delgyer gained widening recognition.

“That beginning put me on a wonderful path,” she said. “Today, I’m a wildlife artist shedding light on the plight of endangered species and their disappearing habitats.”

Delgyer frets over the fate of the world’s many endangered species. The massive and majestic polar bear currently tops her list of concerns.

“This is an animal future generations may never witness in the wild,” she noted. “And what affects these animals will eventually affect us.”

Delgyer’s portraits radiate the power and presence of the animals she so cherishes and admires. Her artwork convey a plea for conservancy, an entreaty for the selfless stewardship of earthly resources on behalf of the planet’s vast diversity of denizens.

“I hope my paintings help people see the richness and variety of our earth,” said Delgyer, “and then make the commitment to pursue earth-friendly choices.”